Press Release

Brentwood Borough Council shortlisted for 3 Essex Business Excellence Awards

Date: 6 September 2018

Brentwood Borough Council is delighted to be one of just three companies shortlisted for three different categories in the Essex Business Excellence Awards.

The Local Authority is now shortlisted for Leadership Team of the Year, Customer Service Team and Not for Profit Organisation. In addition, the Council has also been shortlisted for the Company of the Year award.

Entry was open to any businesses from across the Essex, subject to completing the correct entry forms and providing the required paper work evidence. A shortlist of six companies per award category was initially established, with the judges then interviewing council staff and representatives in order to select the final three firms to put forward for each Award.

Chief Executive Officer Phil Ruck said: “I am genuinely delighted that the hard work of a public service organisation has finally been recognised in a commercial awards competition. It is a true accolade to the efforts and hard work each and every member of staff undertakes on a daily basis in order to provide the very best of public service that we can for our residents and the community of Brentwood.

We all know that local government is often portrayed as dry, humourless andwith a jobsworth mentalilty.This recognition shows that we are very removed from this caricature. Far from it, we have transformed our structure and service abilities to become leaner and more able to rise to the opportunity for commercial growth.

This week we announced our Seven Arches Investments Limited company has made its first £5m commercial property purchase which will bring in a 5.5% net initial yield. The Town Hall transformation and refurbishment is on track and we have turned a negative reserve position of -£3.7m to a forecast of +£3.1m in two years – a turnaround of £6.7m – this is on the back of central government removing over the timeframe the central government revenue grant. This is an amazing achievement for any company but more so a council that has statutory obligations and commitments to residents.”

The Awards presentation evening, at which the winners will be announced, is being held on October 2.